Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Health Needs

Cancer survivorship

As leaders in cancer survivorship research and host to the Macmillan Survivorship Research Group,we use a range of methods to explore how people present with the symptoms of cancer, how they deal with those symptoms, and how they manage in day to day life.

The needs of carers and older people are a particular focus. We develop and test a range of interventions that address the physical, social and emotional consequences, and help people to manage using approaches like online self-management tools and coaching.

Advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment mean more people are surviving cancer; there is an estimated two million people living with, or beyond, cancer in the UK today. However, the issues faced by those who have completed treatment have received little attention, until now...

Senior Lecturer Dr Deborah Fenlon, explains: "The general focus for cancer research has been on cure and prevention of the disease. But it is absolutely imperative we understand the experiences of cancer survivors in order to positively inform the professionals who support them."

There are currently three programmes of research:

  1. Understanding experiences and concerns for cancer survivors
  2. Developing, testing and evaluating new interventions for problems after cancer
  3. Investigating the organisation and delivery of care for people with cancer

1. Understanding experiences and concerns for cancer survivors

Macmillan Survivorship Research Group - 5 year research programme
Foster, C. Fenlon, D. J. Corner, J. Macmillan Cancer Support. 2009: 60 months

Joint Aches Cohort Study
Addington-Hall, J.Fenlon, D. Simmonds, P. George, S. Nicholls, P., Powers, C. 
Breast Cancer Campaign. 2008: 36 months

Older women's experience of breast cancer and other health conditions
Addington-Hall, J. Seymour, J. Payne, S. Foster, C. Fenlon, D. Stephens, R. Walsh, B. Coleman, P. Simmonds, P. Macmillan Cancer Support. 2007: 12 months

An investigation of the prevalence, impact and causes of joint aches, pains and muscle stiffness in women following primary treatment for breast cancer
Addington-Hall, J. Fenlon,D. CECo (Cancer Experiences Collaborative. 2006: 12 months

Understanding the unknown: a case study approach to explore patients, carers and health care professionals; experiences of cancer of unknown primary site
Richardson, A., Addington-Hall, J., Rogers, A., Foster, C., Davis, C., Boyland, C., Symons, J., Wagland, R.  Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund 2008: 18 months

A study of the use of complementary and alternative therapies among people undergoing cancer treatment
Corner, J., Department of Health. 2003: 27 months

Cancer experiences: Supportive and palliative care needs, problems and solutions (the CECo collaborative) 
Addington-Hall, J., Corner, J., Foster, C. NCRI. 2006:  60 months

Communication pathways surrounding people with cancer: who is involved, how do they communicate, and how do patients understand and manage this? 
Klumpp, K., Jarrett, N., Duke, S., Addington-Hall, J., Davis, C., Corner, J., Lathlean, J. Dimbleby Cancer Care. 2009: 18 months

Identifying the impact of service user involvement on the lives of people affected by cancer
Cotterell, P., Macmillan Cancer Support. 2007: 12 months

I'm just in the shadow to keep an eye - an investigation to understand need for support in family members of people having chemotherapy
Ream E., Richardson A., Wiseman T., Fuller G., Oakley C., Foster, R.,  Macmillan Cancer Support. 2011: 14 months

Incidental findings (IFs) from genetic tests: exploring the ethical issues and implications for practice
Crawford G., Lucassen A., Foster C. NIHR Clin Doc. 2010: 36 months

Macmillan Listening Study: Listening to people affected by cancer about cancer research
Corner J,  Macmillan Cancer Relief. 2005 

Minority ethnic patients' participation in cancer research: An exploration of experiences, attitudes and barriers
Okamoto, I., Wright, D., Gunaratnam, Y., Cotterell, P., Foster C. Macmillan Cancer Support.

National Cancer Survivorship Initiative: supporting self management of cancer survivors: summary of the evidence
Foster, C., Fenlon, D. Macmillan Cancer Support for National Cancer Survivorship Initiative. 2008: 6 weeks

Qualitative study of affected women having genetic testing for BRCA1/2
Foster, C., Cancer Research UK. 2001

Self management of problems experienced following primary cancer treatment: An exploratory study
Foster, C., Roffe, L., Scott, I., Cotterell, P. Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Supporting relatives: an investigation into obstacles and aids to information exchange within families affected by cancer
Foster, C., Addington-Hall, J., Hopkinson, J., Wright, D., Payne, S., Sayers, M., Robinson, J. Macmillan Cancer Support. 2008: 12 months

Triple negative breast cancer: perceptions of prognosis, psychological impact and care needs
Richardson, A., Armes, J., Tutt, A., Shrewbridge, A. Breast Cancer Campaign. 2010: 12 months

2. Developing, testing and evaluating new interventions for problems after cancer

CANDID (Clinical prediction rules for colorectal/lung cancer)
Little, P., Brindle, L.  NIHR NSPCR 2012: 60 months

Comprehensive review of evidence base for national cancer survivorship initiative
Richardson, A., Addington-Hall, J., Sharpe, M., Stark, D., Foster, C., Amir, Z. Department of Health through Macmillan Cancer Support 2009: 6 months

Development and pilot study of an online interactive surgical decision aid for young women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer
Eccles, D., Foster, C., Simmonds, P., Altman, D. NIHR RfPB. 2011: 24 months 

Developing a breast cancer survivors' resource pack
Fenlon, D. Scanlon, K. Blows, E. Reed, E. Breast Cancer Care. 2010: 12 months

Feasibility of establishing a cohort of lung cancer patients treated with curative inent to gather patient reported outcomes
Foster, C., Calman, L., Richardson, A., Smith, P., Beaver, K., Baird J., Edwards J. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. 2013: 12 months

Getting your life back after cancer;  a feasibility study of life coaching
Richardson, A., Fenlon, D., Wagland, R. 2012

Improving the symptom experience of patients with lung cancer receiving radiotherapy.
Kearney, N., Maguire, R., Richardson, A., Rizwanullah, M. National Cancer Research Institute. 2008: 14 months

IPCARD Chest Clinic Study
Brindle, L., Shim, J., George, S., Nichols, P., Banerjee, A University of Southampton 2012: 24 months

Menopause after breast cancer: a randomised, controlled trial of relaxation training to reduce hot flushes
Fenlon,D. Cancer Research UK. 2000: 48 months

Systematic review of the literature for non-pharmacological interventions for arthralgia in non cancer conditions 
Fenlon, D. Foster, C. Liossi, C. Simmonds, P. Clough, J. Adams, J. Brearley,S.,  Addington-Hall, J. CECo (Cancer Experiences Collaborative). 2009: 6 months

Systematic review of psychological interventions for pain in patients with cancer, NCRI CECo
Liossi, C. Fenlon,D. Hughes, J. CECo (Cancer Experiences Collaborative). 2008: 12 months               

SPUTNIK (IPCARD sub-study)
George, S., Brindle, L. HTA 2012: 36 months

Symptom prevalence and help seeking in patients at risk of lung cancer: exploratory feasibility study in primary care
Corner J, Brindle L, Wagland R, Moore M Cancer Research NAEDI 2012:18 months

The effectiveness of acupuncture and self-acupuncture in managing cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: a pragmatic randomised trial Molassiotis, A., Richardson, A., Filshie, J., Mackereth, P. Breakthrough Breast Cancer. 2007: 36 months

Using a participant-completed questionnaire to identify symptoms that predict lung cancer: A feasibility study
Wilson, S., Brindle, L., Corner, J., George, S., Hamilton, W. NSPCR 2010: 24 months

3. Investigating the organisation and delivery of care for people with cancer

Analysis of free text responses from the Department of Health's 2013 survey of colorectal cancer Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Corner, J., Wagland, R. NCAT. 2013

An evaluation of a telephone based outreach service for patients with breast and prostate cancer who have finished treatment
Richardson, A, Armes, J., Ream, E. Pfizer Health Solutions. 2008: 24 months

The development and evaluation of tools to obtain patient and staff feedback to support and sustain patient-centered care
Davies E., Richardson, A., Maben, J., Wiseman, J. Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust. 2008 - 36 months

Enhancing the role of carers in the outpatient chemotherapy setting
Ream, E., Robert, G., Verity, R., Oakley, C., Richardson, A. Dimbleby Cancer Care. 2010

How can discussions with relatives be facilitated following predictive genetic testing for BRCA1/2?
Foster, C., Addington-Hall, J. Lucassen, A. Cancer Research UK Studentship. 2006: 48 months

Mapping and understanding the scope and role of specialist cancer helplines in the UK and the barriers and enablers to maximizing their effectiveness
Leydon, G., Moynihan, C., Salmon, P., Latter, S., Little, P., McPherson, K., Brindle, L, Corner, J. Dimbleby Cancer Care. 2010: 24 months

Quality in Cancer Nursing - Nurse Sensitive Outcome Indicators for Ambulatory Chemotherapy
Griffiths, P., Armes, J., Richardson, A., Corner, J. NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. 2010: 12 months

Nurse sensitive outcomes and indicators in ambulatory chemotherapy
Griffiths, P., Richardson, A. National Cancer Action Team. 2009: 6 months

The role of the primary care team in the care and support of patients diagnosed with cancer- perspectives of patients' family members and primary health care professionals 
Watson, E., Boulton, M., Richardson, A., Rose, P., Savage, B., Wilson, S. Macmillan Cancer Support. 2008: 18 months

Understanding the role of and communication process engaged in specialist cancer helpline work
Leydon, G., Simmons, K., Danquah, L. NIHR 2010:  36 months

Change in management from clinic to home: acceptability and barriers to successful implementation. A qualitative exploration of intravenous and oral bisphosphonates in metastatic breast cancer.
Nelson, A. Murray, N. Abraham, J. Hood, K. Griffiths, G. Rees, S. Morris, J. Fenlon, D. Wheatley, D. Wales Cancer Trials Unit. 2007:12 months

Cancer survivorship
Privacy Settings